Local economies
Close co-operation to aid our communities
As Solace's annual Summit gets underway in Birmingham this week, president Martin Swales urges local authorities to work with others on building their local economies.
COSLA conference: Ex-minister hints at council tax cap relaxation
A former SNP minister has suggested there could be a relaxation of the cap on council tax.
Place-shaping with a Flourish!
Gavin Sneddon reviews Nesta’s board game that lets management teams reinvigorate their visionary capabilities.
Success starts with the community
Ahead of the London Councils Summit, Cllr Catherine Faulks explains that local government leaders have signed up to developing a pan-London Charter for Business with the aim of better supporting the city's economy while driving inclusive growth.
Bexley’s midnight libraries
Cllr Peter Craske explains how initiatives such as Bexley LBC’s successful Libraries at Night programme help make the most of buildings at the heart of the town centre and boost the night time economy.
Renewing the focus on growth
We need a refreshed and re-energised emphasis on the role councils can play in supporting place-based growth, explains Jonathan House
Staying centred on a ‘One North’ approach
Melvyn Ingleson says the work to date of the Northern Powerhouse 11 Local Enterprise Partnership regions shows there is ‘real enthusiasm’ to deliver on a vision for the North of England.
Taking a fresh approach to procurement
Laura Church explains how Luton BC’s new procurement strategy will immediately benefit people in the town while the council develops other longer-term plans to eradicate poverty
Research reveals councils' top Brexit risks
The economic repercussions of Brexit dominate the risks foreseen by councils, according to new research.
It's time for us all to grasp the complexities of local places
Lawrence Conway says that as we travel to an unknown point in time for our economy, our role as place shapers and leaders in our communities will be some of the essential ingredients in how successful our future will be as a district council.
Government activates emergency funds for flood-hit councils
Whitehall has activated an emergency fund for councils affected by flooding.
Report: Council of the North needed to drive growth
A Council of the North should be created to develop and implement an industrial strategy for the region, a new report has suggested.
Ellesmere Port 'devastation' if car plant closes
Cheshire West & Chester Council’s deputy leader has warned of the ‘devastating’ impact if car giant Vauxhall stops production at its Ellesmere Port factory.
Narrowing the outcomes gap in Kensington & Chelsea
Kensington & Chelsea RLBC has published a plan to create a successful economy and tackle the barriers preventing residents from fulfilling their potential, says Cllr Catherine Faulks
Transforming towns
Councils looking for an example of how to transform their towns into vibrant areas for the 21st century can draw a great deal of inspiration from Roeselare, a town of 60,000 people in Belgium.
Don't allow this strange summer lull to dilute our focus
There will come a time when a new administration will need a new domestic policy agenda, says John O'Brien. We have to make sure we continue to show how councils should be a vital part of that future, he adds.
Driving towards the diversity goal
Women must make up half of all Local Enterprise Partnership boards by 2023. Christine Gaskell says 'we are getting there, but more work needs to be done at pace'.
Unitaries are the best way to strengthen local government's economic role, says Lord Kerslake
The former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake has come down firmly in favour of unitaries as the best model for a strengthened economic role for local government.
Think-tank finds austerity holding back Northern Powerhouse
Increased devolution is needed to ensure the success of the agenda, the IPPR North think-tank has argued.
‘We need to evolve our model of the economy’
Mike Emmerich says if housing, transport and education all ‘pile on pressure for success’ in some wealthy and well-connected areas and leave others behind, then ‘we really are facing a national policy failure’